The main dilema with this for me is that this girl is a repeat customer, so I don't want to misstep or be rude. But, it's still a business, right?
So this customer lives in my town and I let her pick up cakes at my home. She borrowed a stand from me 10 days ago with her order of cupcakes. I didn't hear back from her, and contacted her, which with she replied
"Oh, I tried to stop by earlier today, but you were out."
This bothered me, because I feel like it is inappropriate for clients to stop by my home unannounced. Yes, she was trying to return the stand, but it is still my home and I would like some notice or an appt. But anyway, I sent her an email saying fine, please just stop by Tuesday after 2:30 and return it.
Guess what. She didn't show up.
So...do I cash her check, and then hold the cash until she shows up with the stand, just to ensure that she didn't stop payment on it?
She already went against my policies and paid with a check when she picked up the cakes (big no no for me. I take cash only at that point, which I told her when we discussed pick up times).
Any help would be great. Thank you!
aligotmatt Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 22, 2006
Posts: 635
Location: NC
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:33 pm
Ifyou have a check that contains part of her order money as well as her deposit, then yes, cash it! And even if it is a deposit, she's probably passed your time limit on returns.
Cash the check. Let her know when you next speak with her about how it made you feel when she had stopped by unnanounced (that you don't want that anymore) and that you were upset when she missed your appt to return the stand. Then don't loan out anymore stands, include them in the price and if they return them refund them if not you're not out anything. HTH
liapsim Regular Member
Joined: Jul 06, 2007
Posts: 167
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:43 pm
I would CASH THAT CHECK!!!!! She might put a stop on it. No matter how much of a repeat customer she is....she hasn't done what she's supposed to until this point...what makes you think she won't stop that check?
Also, I wouldn't do another think for her until she returns that stand.....
Gingoodies Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 655
Location: New Jersey
Birthday: Nov 28
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:43 pm
I would go ahead and cash the check. Send her an email telling her that the check has being cashed and when she returns the stand on xx day at xx time you will be happy to give her back her money. If she chooses not to return the stand. You keep the money! AND I hope you charged a large enough deposit to replace that stand! Good Luck.
LetThereBeCake07 Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2008
Posts: 244
Location: Hanahan, SC (near Charleston)
Birthday: Oct 25 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:45 pm
Cash the check, at her bank to make sure she has the funds. Then give her a curtisy call and let her know you cashed the check and when it is convieniet for her she can call to make an appointment to drop off the stand and recieve her deposit back (or a portion of the deposite depending on what the signed contract states)
be extra nice, friendly and cheerful about it since you never know what you may be getting into. Hopefully nothing but better safe than sorry.
If you feel guilty you can even say you have another person renting the equipent she has out or something like that.
good luck!
summernoelle Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1432
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:55 pm
OK, that's what I was thinking. I HATE conflicts, so I didn't know if cashing the check was a good idea, because it will likely make her angry. But at the same time, I was afraid that by telling her I was going to cash it, it would giver her time to stop the check, which means I would be out the $$ and the stand.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:20 pm
summernoelle wrote:
OK, that's what I was thinking. I HATE conflicts, so I didn't know if cashing the check was a good idea, because it will likely make her angry. But at the same time, I was afraid that by telling her I was going to cash it, it would giver her time to stop the check, which means I would be out the $$ and the stand.
(worried look on face, wringing hands, voice all distraught, as she says in a whiny little girl voice:)
Quote:
....I didn't know if cashing the check was a good idea, because it will likely make her angry.
Oh, Pul-lease!!! I don't have money for a plane ticket to come out there and slap you silly in person, so you need to get over this.
What? Is she a first cousin to Tony Soprano or something? Is that why you're "afraid" to make her "angry"?
Why is SHE not "worried" about making YOU "angry" because she's an inconsiderate "B" who didn't return a borrowed stand? Why is SHE going to be "angry" because you cashed a check given to you as a security deposit for a stand THAT SHE DIDN'T RETURN???? Isn't the purpose of the check to compensate you for A STOLEN STAND that was never returned???????
And why didn't you cash that check the day you got it? Holding a check for the return of the stand is the same as not taking a deposit at all so why bother?
It's time to put your big girl panties on!
summernoelle Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1432
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:33 pm
I love you Indydebi. lol
You should know by now that I am the biggest wimp in the world.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:38 pm
summernoelle wrote:
You should know by now that I am the biggest wimp in the world.
stick with all of us, kid! We'll get ya there!
Gingoodies Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 655
Location: New Jersey
Birthday: Nov 28
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:45 pm
Just a little something to think about for the next time... get your deposit for a loaned item in CASH. Put the cash in an envelope. Give your customer a specific time frame to return the item. If you dont get it back, the money is yours. If the customer insists (and you are willing to accept) on giving you a check, tell them you are going to cash the check immediately and hold the cash till the item is returned. Again, please make sure the deposit is large enough to replace the item in question. As far as this particular customer is concerned, don't be afraid of her anger. Even though she is a repeat customer, if she gets bent out of shape because of this situation, you are better off without her as a customer. Believe me, two more will come along to replace her. (I know from experience ) Again, I hope this works out for you and your customer.
Indydebi
you ALWAYS say exactly what I am thinking!!!!
My motto is if you think it you may as well say it!
Also, I never read in the OP anything about a deposit check it just said she paid with a check at pickup. Am I missing something here?
Did we not already have this conversation about this client of yours in a thread a few days or a week ago? I know we did! MANY people told you to cash the check when you asked then. Grow a BACKBONE, summernoelle! (said with love and encouragement )
indydebi: Amen, Sister! AMEN!
summernoelle Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1432
Posted:
Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:38 pm
Sugarfrosted-it's the same woman. That was when I contacted her (right after posting the other thread) and she said she had stopped by. Which really really bothered me. So, we set up the time for today (after 3 day weekend), which she skipped out on. No offense taken.
Her husband wrote me two checks on a Friday almost 2 weeks ago-one for the cake and a 2nd for the deposit. He was suppossed to have cash, but didn't.
How would this sound. Pretend I've just gotten back from the bank:
Dear _________
I wanted to let you know that I cashed your deposit check this morning. It has been 13 days since you rented the cupcake stand, and it is my policy to cash deposit checks when my items have not been returned. I also requested that you return it to me on Tuesday afternoon, which you did not.
If you do return the stand, I will be happy to refund you the cash, minus the fees charged to me by your bank. If the stand is not received by Friday afternoon at 5, your deposit will be forfeited.
Thanks,
and, would it be too much to add: If you plan to return the stand, please set up an exact time with me to do so, as I am uncomfortable with clients arriving at my home without an appointment. ?
That is a very good email, she should have no doubt about what she did and why you did what you did (will do) and yes, include your additional statement.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
)
